From Joseph Ward

[dateline] Camp October 9, 1777

[salute] Sir

As you have had the history of the late action from the General,1 I shall not trouble you with many particulars which happened on that memorable day.
The attack was formed with the true spirit of enterprize, and executed, by the Troops
that were principally engaged, with heroic valour. With victory in their hands and
laurels on their brows (hear me patiently, for I am determined to give Merit its due
wherever my roving tongue or pen travels, and if possible animate others to do likewise,)
shouting triumph along their gallant lines, ready to reap the complete harvest of
the brave, and bid Liberty rest in peace forever! The piercing Eye of Heaven look'd
down and saw we were not ripe for consummate glory—“the set time” was not come—stayed our conquering arms—and gave the guilty foe some future days
to live. Submissive to the will of Heaven, we would not dispute the wisdom of Divine
decrees; but grateful for the past, we trust for the completion of future success;
and that we shall in due time { 305 } hail the glorious day (prayed for in vain from the execrable Tyrant of Britain) fraught
with “Liberty Peace and Safety.”

An attack upon the Enemy, I had long most ardently wished for, from a firm perswasion
it was the way to conquest; and although we did not, (owing principally to the accident
of a fog, which prevented our seeing the advantages we had gained) complete our design,
yet it reflects honor upon the General and the Army, and I am confident that great
advantages will arise to our Country. The spirit of the Army is higher (notwithstanding
the loss of some Officers and men) and firmer than before; our Troops find that the
boasted discipline skill and courage of the Enemy, will all give way, when charged
home with that spirit and valour which Americans can exert.

As nothing is so animating to an Army as an honorable testimony of their merit, from
the supreme Aurthority in the land, perhaps Congress may think proper to do something
on this occasion which may tend to stimulate the Troops.2 I am happy that General Sullivan, and General Wayne, (whose reputation had by some
unfortunate accidents suffered an eclipse) were, among others, gloriously distinguished;
their Troops drove all that opposed them and gained great reputation, sustaining the
hottest fire of the Enemy with undaunted resolution. Some of them fired forty rounds
a Man. It was reported in Camp some time before this action, that Congress had suspended
General Sullivan, but I hope and believe the report was not true. I shall ever lament
the misfortune of a brave Man; and think bravery is such a Jewel in a Soldier's character,
that, like charity, it covers the multitude of imperfections, and intitles him to
candour from the generous and the wise. You, Sir, who know human kind, are sensible
we must not expect too much perfection; and what makes a man great in one view often
makes him weak in another; that Zeal and fire which commonly constitutes an enterprizing
genius and prompts to great and brilliant actions, is not always accompanied with
the clearest head and most penetrating judgment, it is however generally successful,
and has formed the great Commanders and immortal Heroes which the world admires.

I apprehend (if wrong correct me) every Country has a million times more to fear from
a spirit of doubtful timidity, than from the accidents which may attend the enterprizes of the Brave. I would notwithstanding
allow caution its merit, and prudence its value, for they are necessary to make the Soldier complete.

I wish, with the sincerity of a Quaker, for the calm abodes of tranquility and peace;
war at best is like living in the subarbs of Tophet, and the day of Battle seems like
the very gate; groans and cries, prayers and execrations, fire and blood, shouts and
lamentations, smoke and thunder, mingle in one scene,—life and death walk together,
and mortals croud the verge of eternity! In such an hour, who would not implore His
favour whose Kingdom ruleth over all,—that our Arms might prevail? May He in infinite
mercy soon cause us to triumph in His Salvation.

We wait in solicitude to hear the event of our Northern operations; but hope by the
favor of Providence it will be successful and happy. The great object with America
is to defeat Howe; until this is done we must not think of repose; Battles and reinforcements, must
be repeated, and continued, until he is defeated and driven off. And as the season
is far advanced no time must be lost, as the long cold nights heavy dews and rains
will too much expose the health of our Troops, badly clothed and worse covered from
the weather. I doubt not Congress will do whatever human wisdom can devise, and I
hope the Army will not fail in its exertions, to effect the great purposes of the
Campaign. May God crown our efforts with His Blessing. It is in vain to look back
and wish for past opportunities to return, or I should multiply wishes that we had
fought Howe at or near White Clay Creek, or the first proper ground we found him on;
it was ever my wish, I am no more perswaded of the propriety of such an attack now
than I was then, but I believe others are, and the late action has confirmed many
in my notions with respect to the great advantages the assailants have against those
they attack. Notwithstanding the perfection of British generalship, discipline, precaution,
and bravery, (of which we have heard so much) it is certain they were greatly surprized
and thrown into disorder; and had we given them such a specimen of enterprize and
spirit before they crossed Brandywine, I conceive they would not have crossed it to
the end of time. But the time is past, we must make the best of the future; and as
the reputation of the Army had suffered by our being so long in the descending Scale, I apprehend it is good policy to represent our late Action to as much advantage
as possible, to raise the spirit of the Country and the Army, that they may put confidence
in each other; for this purpose I have painted the action on the fourth Instant, in my letters to New England, in
as bright colours as it would bear.

Altho' we may have let golden opportunities pass unimproved, and Howe might perhaps
have been routed in a fortnight after his landing, yet we must hold fast the good
doctrine, That Providence overules all things for the best end. I very much apprehend that the toryfied City of Philadelphia, and this lathargic State, wants more scourging to open their eyes to see and their hearts to feel the Curse of British power and to realize the worth of Freedom. For this reason perhaps He who judgeth among
the Gods, may have determined our Councils not to take those measures which might
too soon have delivered this unbelieving race of modern Jews.

1. Washington reported to the president of the congress on 5 Oct. the outcome of the
Battle of Germantown (Writings, ed. Fitzpatrick, 9:308–311).

2. On 8 Oct. the congress unanimously passed a resolution thanking Washington “for his
wise and well concerted attack” at Germantown, and it thanked also his officers and
men, recognizing “that the best designs and boldest efforts may sometimes fail” (JCC, 9:785).